Hungary was admitted to the EU in 2004, though the central European country of 10m people has been largely at odds with the bloc during the 2010-2026 reign of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Orbán's Christian nationalist Fidesz party won the 2010 election with 52% of the vote and 68% of the seats in parliament. The supermajority in parliament allowed Fidesz to change the country's Constitution, adding Christian nationalist language and decreasing the number of seats in parliament by nearly half. In the next three elections (2014, '18, '22) Fidesz won 44% to 52% of the vote while retaining a supermajority of 67-69%

At the root of tension between the EU and Hungary are Orbán policies of accepting no asylum seekers, a government takeover of eleven universities, blocking EU aid to Ukraine, opposition to same-sex marriage, building a self-proclaimed "illiberal democracy," and fostering closer ties with China, Russia, and Turkey.

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While Orbán has been on the outs with the EU, he has had support in the US from some prominent Republicans. In 2021 and 2023, Tucker Carlson went to Hungary to conduct his show and point to Orbán's Hungary as a model for the US. In 2022, Orbán was a featured speaker at the conservative CPAC conference in Dallas and hosted the inaugural CPAC Hungary.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio went to Hungary in 2025 to meet with Orbán, hailing a "golden age" in relations. This occurred days after a speech Rubio gave in Munich disparaging traditional western allies and their divergence, in his view, from US core values.

Last week, VP JD Vance went to Hungary to campaign for Orbán, who faced what polls said was a 16 pt re-election deficit. At a rally, Vance patched in President Trump who told the gathering "I’m a big fan of Viktor (Orbán), I’m with him all the way. The US is with him all the way." Trump also sent a video endorsement, "Viktor has shown the entire world what’s possible when you defend your borders, your culture, your heritage, your sovereignty and your values."

Generally speaking, do you think US administrations should endorse foreign regimes they feel are aligned with their values?

Orbán’s 16% polling deficit was attributed to a combination of poor economic performance and mounting evidence of government corruption.

Hungary’s GDP has not grown since 2023, while recently revealed scandals include a company owned by Orbán’s son-in-law winning numerous public contracts, and a Fidesz cover up of sexual abuse at an orphanage run by an  Orbán ally.

The Hungarian election was Sunday, and with 98% of votes counted Péter Magyar’s center right opposition party Tisza leads Orbán’s Fidesz party 53% to 37%. It is estimated Tisza will have 69% of the seats in parliament and Fidesz 28%.

What do you think of this election result? (check all that apply)